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🔐 Security Implementation Summary

Changes Implemented

Overview

Implemented a complete secure backend solution to eliminate client-side API key storage vulnerabilities. All sensitive credentials are now encrypted on the backend using AES-256-GCM encryption.

Files Created

Backend Server

  1. server/package.json - Backend dependencies (Express, CORS, dotenv)
    • Note: crypto is a built-in Node.js module and doesn't need to be installed
  2. server/index.js - Express server with secure API endpoints
  3. server/crypto.js - AES-256-GCM encryption/decryption utilities
  4. server/.env.example - Environment variable template
  5. server/.gitignore - Prevents committing .env file

Frontend

  1. src/utils/backend-api.ts - Frontend utilities for backend communication

Documentation

  1. SECURITY.md - Comprehensive security policy and implementation details
  2. SETUP.md - Complete setup and installation guide
  3. .env.example - Frontend environment template

Files Modified

Backend Integration

  1. src/pages/Settings.tsx

    • Added API key input handling with secure backend calls
    • Integrated encryption check status display
    • Added save/delete API key functionality
    • Import Lock icon from lucide-react
    • Integrated backend-api.ts utilities

  2. src/store/useJobStore.ts

    • Added security comment about not persisting sensitive data
    • Configured partialize option to exclude API keys from localStorage
    • API keys now handled exclusively by backend

  3. vite.config.ts

    • Added server port configuration for development

Configuration

  1. package.json

    • Added "server": "cd server && npm run dev" script
    • Added "server:install": "cd server && npm install" script

  2. .gitignore

    • Added .env, .env.local, .env.*.local to prevent committing secrets

  3. README.md

    • Added "🔒 Security First" section at the top
    • Added comprehensive "🔒 Security & Setup" section
    • Updated with backend setup instructions
    • Added API key management explanation
    • Added production deployment security checklist

Architecture Changes

Before (Insecure) ❌

User Browser
├── Settings Page
│   └── [User enters API key]
│       └── Stored in localStorage
│           └── Accessible to JavaScript/XSS attacks
│               └── Used directly for API calls

After (Secure) ✅

User Browser              Backend Server           External APIs
├── Settings Page         ├── Express Server      ├── OpenAI
│   └── [User enters key] │   ├── Validates      │   │
│       └── HTTPS POST    │   ├── Encrypts (AES) │   │
│           └── Encrypted │   ├── Stores         │   │
│               │         │   └── Uses for calls ├─→ DeepSeek
│               └────────→│                      │
│                         └────────────────────→└──
│   ← Receives Response ←──────────────────────┘
│       (No key exposed)
└─ Displays Result

Security Features Implemented

1. Encryption

  • ✅ Algorithm: AES-256-GCM (military-grade)
  • ✅ Key Derivation: SCRYPT (NIST-recommended)
  • ✅ Random IV: Unique per encryption operation
  • ✅ Authentication Tag: Prevents tampering

2. Backend Endpoints

POST /api/keys/set              → Store encrypted API key
GET  /api/keys/check/:provider  → Check if key exists (no key returned)
POST /api/keys/delete/:provider → Delete stored key
POST /api/ai/generate           → Use stored key for AI generation

3. CORS Security

  • ✅ Restricted to specific frontend origin
  • ✅ Configurable via FRONTEND_URL env var
  • ✅ Prevents cross-site attacks

4. Environment Variables

  • ✅ .env files never committed to git
  • ✅ .gitignore prevents accidental commits
  • ✅ .env.example shows what's needed

5. Data Persistence

  • ✅ API keys NOT stored in localStorage
  • ✅ Only provider/model selection persisted
  • ✅ Zustand store uses partialize to exclude sensitive data

How It Works

Setting an API Key

1. User enters API key in Settings
2. Frontend sends via HTTPS to /api/keys/set
3. Backend validates format
4. Backend encrypts with AES-256-GCM
5. Backend stores in memory/database
6. Frontend receives success message
7. Input field cleared (key never stored frontend)

Using an API Key

1. User requests AI generation
2. Frontend sends request to /api/ai/generate
3. Backend retrieves encrypted key
4. Backend decrypts key
5. Backend calls OpenAI/DeepSeek API
6. Backend returns response
7. Frontend displays result (key never exposed)

Vulnerability Fixes

Vulnerability Impact Fix
Keys in localStorage XSS attacks could steal keys Keys now on backend only
Keys in state Browser dev tools could expose keys No sensitive data in frontend state
Direct API calls Man-in-the-middle attacks Backend makes calls with HTTPS
Unencrypted storage Database breach exposes keys AES-256-GCM encryption
Client-side key handling Multiple attack vectors Backend-only key management

Setup Instructions

Quick Start

# Install dependencies
npm install
npm run server:install

# Configure
cd server && cp .env.example .env
# Edit server/.env with your API keys

cd ..
cp .env.example .env.local
# Edit .env.local with VITE_API_URL=http://localhost:3001

# Run
# Terminal 1:
npm run server

# Terminal 2:
npm run dev

See SETUP.md for detailed instructions.

Best Practices

✅ DO

  • Use environment variables for all secrets
  • Store API keys only on backend
  • Use HTTPS in production
  • Rotate API keys regularly
  • Monitor API usage
  • Keep dependencies updated

❌ DON'T

  • Commit .env files
  • Use hardcoded API keys
  • Log sensitive information
  • Expose backend responses containing keys
  • Skip HTTPS in production
  • Share SESSION_SECRET

Testing Checklist

  • Backend starts without errors: npm run server
  • Frontend connects to backend
  • Can set API key in Settings
  • API key status shows as configured
  • Can delete API key
  • AI generation works with stored key
  • Key is not visible in browser storage (F12 → Application → Storage)
  • Key is not visible in network requests (F12 → Network)
  • Refresh page - settings still work (server-side persistence)

Deployment Notes

For Production Deployment

  1. Set NODE_ENV=production
  2. Use HTTPS/TLS certificates
  3. Generate strong SESSION_SECRET
  4. Configure FRONTEND_URL with HTTPS
  5. Set up monitoring and logging
  6. Implement rate limiting
  7. Use a process manager (PM2, systemd, Docker)
  8. Keep dependencies updated

See SECURITY.md for full production checklist.

Documentation Files

  1. README.md - Main project documentation with security section
  2. SECURITY.md - Detailed security policy and implementation
  3. SETUP.md - Complete installation and configuration guide
  4. CHANGES.md - This file, summary of all changes

Migration Guide (if upgrading)

If you were using an older version without the backend:

  1. Stop the old application
  2. Install new dependencies: npm install && npm run server:install
  3. Configure .env files (see SETUP.md)
  4. Start backend: npm run server
  5. Start frontend: npm run dev
  6. Enter your API keys in Settings (they're stored securely now)
  7. Old browser storage is cleared automatically

Support

Summary

✅ API keys now encrypted with AES-256-GCM
✅ Backend-only key storage (no browser exposure)
✅ Comprehensive security documentation
✅ Complete setup and deployment guides
✅ Production-ready security checklist
✅ Removed unnecessary crypto dependency (uses Node.js built-in module)

Your job search data is now secure! 🔐